Conference Tuesday - The Biggest Day Of XC Of The Year

Location: Hok-Si-La Park, Lake City

Weather: Partly cloudy, around 50, decent breeze

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projection: Kasson-Mantorville/Triton (34), Lake City (61), Stewartville (71)

Top Individuals: Isaac Threinen (Kasson-Mantorville/Triton, 16:17), Hunter Grimm (Lake City, 16:53), Tanner Horton (Pine Island, 17:02), Alexander Lawrence (Stewartville, 17:15), Jace Minelli (Kasson-Mantorville/Triton, 17:23), George Gustafson (Kasson-Mantorville/Triton, 17:25), Danny Langworthy (Pine Island, 17:26)

The Skinny: Isaac Threinen has shown great improvement in his junior season, and should be the heavy favorite to take the conference title here. He won last year by three seconds, but his title defense should be much easier, as no one has come within 35 seconds of his season best. Hunter Grimm is the only other runner who has broken 17:00 on the year, though Tanner Horton has come within a few seconds of the mark multiple times. George Gustafson and Jace Minelli went 2-4 here a year ago, and will again fight for a top five spot. Alexander Lawrence should also be apart of the top pack. On the team side, Threinen, Minelli, and Gustafson should lead Kasson-Mantorville/Triton to a comfortable victory, with Stewartville and Lake City battling for second. With four of the top nine, Kasson-Mantorville/Triton should have no worries collecting the conference win.

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projection: Stewartville (48), Lake City (59), Rochester Lourdes (92), Kasson-Mantorville/Triton (99)

Top Individuals: Natasha Sortland (Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 18:35), Kailee Malone (Stewartville, 19:04), Jacey Majerus (Lake City, 19:21), Lauryn Renier (Rochester Lourdes, 19:45), Tiana Wiebke (Kasson-Mantorville/Triton, 19:54), Laura Pedelty (Stewartville, 20:14), Isabel Field (Stewartville, 20:14), Meg Degen (Rochester Lourdes, 20:16)

The Skinny: Natasha Sortland should be a lock for the podium at State, and will potentially contend for a top five finish. She should collect the win fairly easily after back to back sub-19 performances. However, Kailee Malone is no slouch either, holding steady at 12th in the rankings after four wins in a row. Jacey Majerus is coming off an impressive 3rd place finish at Swain, so expect her to be in contention as well. Lauryn Renier and Tiana Wiebke have also both dipped under 20:00 multiple this season, so keep an eye out for them in the chase pack. Combining Malone with Isabel Field and Laura Pedelty makes for a very strong Stewartville contingent, one that projects to win the virtual meet over Lake City. However, the 4th-ranked Stewartville girls' margin of victory could be slim, as they'll have to shut down the red hot Lake City squad. Ranked 7th, the Tigers are fresh off a revealing win at Swain and should make a push for the victory. 

(written by Sam O'Donnell-Hoff)